Legislation Is More Than a Legal Box-Tick – It’s a Life-Saving Responsibility
Legislation surrounding emergency evacuation is not a matter of administrative formality. It is a critical framework designed to protect lives.
Emergencies – whether fire, flood, power failure or medical incident – require immediate, effective response. For individuals with mobility challenges, safe evacuation can be impossible without adequate preparation. It is in these moments that preparation, or the lack of it, can mean the difference between life and death.
This is where Evac+Chair plays a vital role.
Compliance That Saves Lives
Under UK legislation, building owners, managers and designated duty holders have a clear and non-negotiable responsibility: to ensure that every individual can be evacuated safely, including those with mobility impairments. This is not guidance. It is the law.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, imposes a duty on the designated “Responsible Person” to carry out comprehensive fire risk assessments, eliminate risks and ensure the safe evacuation of all occupants, without exception. Importantly, this responsibility cannot be deferred to the emergency services. Firefighters are not tasked with evacuation. Delays of up to 30 minutes are common and being near a fire for even 20 minutes significantly reduces the chances of survival.
Responsibility for evacuation lies squarely with those in control of the premises. It is not optional. It is enforceable.
Escape Plans That Actually Work
Effective evacuation planning is underpinned by two critical documents: Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEPs).
PEEPs are designed for individuals with temporary or permanent impairments, detailing precisely how they will evacuate and who is responsible for assisting them. GEEPs address the needs of visitors, contractors or transient staff unfamiliar with the building layout but equally entitled to a safe escape.
These plans must be supported by appropriate equipment. If the lifts are out of service, how will you evacuate a person in a wheelchair, someone who is heavily pregnant or a staff member recovering from surgery down multiple flights of stairs?
This is not a hypothetical scenario. It is a legal obligation.
Are Evacuation Chairs a Legal Requirement?
While UK legislation does not explicitly mandate the use of evacuation chairs, it does require that a safe means of escape for all persons is provided. For multi-storey buildings with stairs, the absence of an evacuation chair for individuals unable to use those stairs constitutes a failure to comply.
Evac+Chair has become widely recognised as the industry standard. These devices are practical, dependable and easy to operate – ensuring no one is left behind in an emergency. This is not only a matter of compliance, but one of moral and operational responsibility.
The Equality Act 2010 further reinforces this duty by requiring reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals. This includes safe emergency egress. Failure to do so may be considered disability discrimination.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 also mandates that employers must do all that is reasonably practicable to protect individuals in the workplace. Knowing there is a risk, and failing to act, exposes organisations to both legal consequences and reputational damage.
Turning Compliance into Confidence
Emergency preparedness is not just about meeting legislative requirements, it is about protecting people.
Choosing Evac+Chair means choosing a partner in safety. We offer complimentary Evacuation Assessments to advise on chair selection, correct placement and how evacuation equipment integrates with your overall emergency plan, supported by training and maintenance services.
Confidence in Crisis Starts with the Right Training
Evac+Chair training courses are structured to equip staff with the capability to respond effectively and decisively in emergency situations. Whether assisting a colleague with a PEEP or supporting an unfamiliar visitor, comprehensive training ensures users operate the equipment safely and confidently.
Our nationwide training combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice, reducing the risk of misuse, delay and harm. It also reinforces your organisation’s commitment to safety, accessibility and legal compliance.
Serviced, Compliant, Ready – When It Matters Most
Evac+Chairs are Class 1 Medical Devices and fall under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Regular servicing is not only essential to ensure functionality – it is a legal requirement.
Our tailored maintenance packages include annual inspections to extend the lifespan of the equipment and preserve compliance with regulatory standards. This ensures your evacuation provisions remain ready, reliable and effective at all times.
Legislation Is the Minimum. Lives Deserve More.
There is a fundamental distinction between compliance and true preparedness. One fulfils a legal requirement. The other saves lives.
Too often, legislation is treated as a box-ticking exercise. But for those facing an emergency, it is a matter of survival. From colleagues with mobility issues to visitors in unexpected distress, evacuation plans must protect everyone, without exception.
Preparedness cannot wait for a crisis. The time to act is now.
Be compliant. Be ready. Be responsible. With Evac+Chair.
Book your complimentary Evacuation Assessment today and ensure your building is equipped to protect every life.
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